July 7, 2021
Check Out the Summer Institute Schedules – Still Time to Register
It is no overstatement when I say that the schedules for our two upcoming Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes (SAI) may be the best yet! If you’ve ever wanted to attend an SAI, need professional development credits, or just want to learn more about Colorado agriculture, register today for either one of these two courses:

Each course is filled with top-notch speakers and amazing tours designed to address some of the most important topics in agriculture and food production. While the two course schedules are different, we are excited to have the following presentations at BOTH Institutes:
  • Our Food Supply and COVID by Dr. Becca B.R. Jablonski, CSU Assistant Professor and Food Systems Extension Economist – Why did we see empty store shelves during the pandemic?
  • 2020 Colorado Science Standard Implementation by Maya Garcia, Colorado Science and STEM Specialist – What are the new science standards and when do I have to start teaching them?
  • Teaching NGSS and STEM with Agriculture by Lynn Wallin and Andrea Gardner, education specialists with the National Center for Agricultural Literacy – What is three-dimensional learning?
  • Hands on with Agriculture in the Classroom Lessons, grade-level breakout sessions lead by Lynn and Andrea – Get ideas, lessons, and resources already available, aligned with subject standards, and also teach teach food, fiber, fuel, and natural resource topics.

SAI 101: Grand Junction Highlights
The Grand Junction course will be headquarted at the CSU Orchard Mesa Research Station. The tour days will take participants to Palisade, Fruita, and south near Delta. Here are a few of the schedule highlights (this is not a complete list, there’s more!):
  • CDA Palisade Insectary – Learn how biological pest and weed control helps decrease agriculture’s reliance on chemical controls.
  • Sauvage Spectrum Winery – Artisanal craft winery in the Grand Valley – crafting Colorado wines like never seen before. 
  • Talbott Farms – From world renowned Palisade peaches to a portfolio of premium beverage products, Talbott Farms’ mission is to “produce value from the land.”
  • Grand Valley Research Center – Focused on the challenges associated with conserving and efficiently using agricultural water and soil.
  • GroFresh 365 – Learn how aquaponics and other sustainable agriculture methods can grow food 365 days per year; plus get ideas for starting a school garden.
  • Escalante Ranch – A century old western cattle operation utilizing grazing land ranging in elevation from 4,600 feet to over 9,200 feet.
  • Sage Creations – A small, certified organic, family farm specializing in lavender, florals, and herbs.
  • Carlson Vineyards – A small family-owned winery known for making easy-drinking regional wines that have earned hundreds of awards locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • Kokopelli Produce – An organic orchard and farm market with 50 acres of fruit, mainly peaches, along with a berry patch and farm market garden.

SAI 201: Brighton/Front Range
This is the first time we are offering a next-level course – designed to take a deeper dive into some of the most important topics of Colorado agriculture. The headquarters for this course is the Brighton Historic City Hall building, however we will be traveling along the northern Front Range. Again, here are a few schedule highlights (just a few to whet your appetite): 
  • Sakata Farms – Robert Sakata is one of the premier leaders in Colorado agriculture and has a wealth of knowledge that he is excited to share with teachers, plus we’ll learn about his onion farm.
  • CSU JBS Global Innovation Center – Learn about beef processing and the Beef Sticks for Backpacks program, which distributed 228,733 beef sticks in Colorado this school year. 
  • Meat Labeling – Confused about the various meat labels? Dr. Jennifer Martin will help walk you through what those labels represent. 
  • The Hillside Vineyard – Established in 1965, this winery sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is agriculturally focused. Learn how grapes are grown and the science behind winemaking and blending wines. 
  • Raquelitas Tortillas and Ardent Mills grain discussion – Raquelitas is a Denver based tortilla and tortilla chip company since 1960. We’ll tour the production facilities and then learn about grains with Laurie Scanlin from the Ardent Mills Innovation Center. 
  • Colorado Department of Agriculture Division of Laboratory Services – Tour CDA’s three laboratory services: animal health, biochemistry, metrology; and learn about the lab’s curriculum developed for high school students.
  • Rock Creek Farm – See what a pumpkin patch and corn maize look like in the summer and learn about agritourism. 
  • Brighton Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant – Tour one of the largest municipal reserve osmosis water treatment facilities west of the Mississippi River.
  • Northern Water – Water is a critical resource to agriculture, especially when in drought conditions, and the staff at Northern Water are ready to share their knowledge and answer your water-related questions. 

Now, doesn't that all sound amazing? Why don't you join us? Save yourself from FOMO (fear of missing out) and register today on the SAI registration page. All participants will receive 2.5 Continuing Education Units (37.5 clock hours). Three (3) graduate level credits from Colorado State University are also available. Both courses will be held in-person, following current CDPHE COVID-19 guidelines.

Hope to see you in Grand Junction or Brighton!
Jennifer






Contact:
Jennifer Scharpe
Colorado Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director
10343 Federal Blvd Unit J Box 224
Westminster, CO 80260
Office: 970-818-3308; Direct (cell): 720-788-3224
Jennifer@GrowingYourFuture.com